Epilogue
Six months later…
“Doesn’t matter how long you stare at that thing. Your ugly mug ain’t gettin’ any prettier.”
Adrian turned away from the mirror to face the smartass who’d just walked into the room. “Fuck off, Dawson.”
Dressed in a matching tux—minus the white rose—Gabe shoved his hands into his pockets and smirked. “That any way to talk to your best manandthe guy giving away the bride? Better face facts, Walker. I say the word, this wedding doesn’t happen.”
Like hell.
“You do anything to ruin this day for Jen, I’ll gut you like a fucking pig and bury you in the cemetery behind the church.”
The two men stood like that, facing off in the back room of the small country church Jenna had chosen until Adrian finally caved.
Unable to deny how ridiculously happy he was, he lost the staring contest and grinned. “Thanks again for doing this.” He held out his hand for Gabe.
The man who may as well have been Jenna’s blood brother gave him a good, strong shake. “Never thought I’d say this, but I wouldn’t miss this day for the world.”
It was amazing how a couple of years could completely transform a person’s life. In that time, the two men had gone from enemies, to guys who tolerated each other when they absolutely had to, to damn near best friends.
Of course, the women in their lives played a pretty big hand in that.
Unlike most, Elle had been rooting for him and Jenna almost from the start. But even though Gabe had been the one to drag his ass off that beach and back into Jenna’s arms, the overprotective bear had still made it clear that his respect where Jenna was concerned wouldn’t come easy.
The fact that Gabe was getting ready to stand up with himandwalk Jenna down the aisle…Adrian was pretty damn sure he’d finally earned it.
“The girls ready?” he asked as a sudden trickle of nerves ran down his spine.
“Who do you think sent me in here?”
Pulse racing with anticipation, Adrian turned back to the mirror to check his hair and tie one last time. Seeing that everything was still in place as it should be, he filled his lungs to capacity before exhaling at a slow, steady pace.
“You’re looking a bit nervous. Sure you want to do this?”
He met the other man’s gaze in the mirror. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”
Gabe smiled and squeezed Adrian’s shoulder. “Good answer. ’Cause you know, if you were thinking about running off again, I’d have to hunt you down and kill you.”
“You could try.” Adrian turned back around with a smirk. “But you won’t have to. I’ve spent my whole life running, Dawson. I’m ready to slow things down a bit.”
“Just don’t gettooslow,” Gabe teased. “After all, Bravo may need a special consult now and again.”
The two men started for the door. “Consult, huh? That mean you’re offering me a job?”
“Fuck no.” Gabe chuckled. “But rumor has it, McQueen might be.”
Adrian didn’t say anything, but he and Jake McQueen—owner and head of R.I.S.C.—had already had a conversation over the phone the other day.
The manhadoffered him a job working with both Alpha and Bravo teams, as well as consulting on specialized jobs with the security company’s up and coming Charlie and Delta teams.
McQueen had given Adrian time to consider the offer, which was good because he hadn’t mentioned it to Jenna yet, either. Logistically, there was a lot to work out, and she’d been busy planning the wedding.
He’d tell her about the offer soon, but for now, he wanted to focus on the new life they were starting together.
The music began playing, and Adrian knew that was their cue. With one final nod, the two men walked out the door leading to the front of the church.
Standing at the spot he’d been shown during last night’s rehearsal, Adrian watched as Gabe walked away, toward the large double doors at the back of the church.